Summing up 2004
Clayton was a stunning selection on his rookie season and then a disappointment from then on. Overall it would have to be seen as a below average selection. But Allen and Jones were useful selections for the team and of course, the pick for Jon Gruden was a worthwhile one too.

Click here to review the entire 2004 NFL draft
The Bucs drafted alternately 16-15-14 through the draft. The 2nd round pick went to Oakland as the final installment on the Jon Gruden trade. The Bucs swopped 7th round picks with Dallas as part of the Darian Barnes trade. The final 7th round pick was a compensatory one.

1 - WR - Michael Clayton - Louisiana State - average pick
Had a stunning first season in 2004 being named to every All-Rookie team and it then went downhill from there in spite of receiving a lucrative contract extension in April 2009. Was finally released at the end of training camp in 2010 and went on to play parts of two seasons with the New York Giants before leaving the NFL for good.

3 - LB - Marquis Cooper - Washington - poor pick
Spent two seasons playing special teams for the Bucs with only limited time on actual defense. Was released in training camp in 2006 and was drowned at sea off the Clearwater coast in March 2009 in a tragic accident that also took the life of fellow former Buc Corey Smith and one other man.

4 - S - Will Allen - Ohio State - good pick
Spent six seasons with the Buccaneers starting all of the 2006 campaign at free safety. Also started eight games during 2005 at both free and strong safety through injuries to Jermaine Phillips and Dexter Jackson, but also missed three games himself through injury. The rest of his time in Tampa was spent as a special teams' coverage player and was named a special teams' captain for 2009. Left after the 2009 season as a free agent to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.

5 - G - Jeb Terry - North Carolina - OK pick
Got injured during the 2007 pre-season and was released with an injury settlement after the final roster cutdown. Made his first NFL start in three seasons on Opening Day 2006 when Davin Joseph was hurt in the final pre-season game. Was more of a depth and kick blocker however during his time in Tampa. Did not play again in the NFL after leaving the Buccaneers.

6 - TE - Nate Lawrie - Yale - OK pick
Played in five games during 2005 as the 45th active man on the roster and after a week back on the practice squad, was waived in December 2005. A former 6th round pick of the Bucs who was waived in the 2004 pre-season and then re-signed to the practice squad at the end of September that year. Promoted to the full roster with three games remaining in the season and played in two of them.

7 - WR - Mark Jones - Tennessee - OK pick
Did not make the 2004 team out of training camp but played 2004 with the Giants and returned to Tampa for 2005 to become the team's primary punt returner. Was released and re-signed during 2006 but remained nothing more than a punt returner for the Bucs.

7 - FB - Casey Cramer - Dartmouth - wasted pick
Did not make the 2004 team out of training camp. Wound up playing with the Carolina Panthers during his rookie season.

7 - WR - Lenny Williams - Southern - wasted pick
Did not make the 2004 team out of training camp. Had been a four-year starter in college and was named the 2004 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. Did not surrender a touchdown in coverage in his final two seasons in college.